COMPARISON OF 10-O POLYPROPYLENE AND 10-O NYLON SUTURES IN RAT ARTERIAL ANASTOMOSIS

The selection of suture materials is an important factor in further im proving the results of microsurgical operations. In this study, two ki nds of nonabsorbable suture materials, 10-0 polypropylene and 10-0 nyl on monofilament, were compared in end-to-end anastomosis of 66 femoral arteries of adult rats. Both suture types were of identical size (70 mum needle/28 mum suture) and each artery received eight sutures. The vessels were harvested at various intervals from 2 hr to 180 days post operatively and were evaluated by pathology, radiology, and tensile st rength test. The results show that both sutures are capable of achievi ng excellent long-term patency (100%) of anastomosed sites. Polypropyl ene suture was equivalent to nylon in mechanical integrity of the anas tomosis sites but was superior in handling, knotting, and biocompatibi lity. These physical and biological properties of polypropylene suture s may offer the benefits of diminished early and late complications at anastomosis sites and reduced operation time. Enhancement of contrast against surrounding tissue may make polypropylene a superior alternat ive to nylon sutures for microsurgical use.